Can anyone recommend any good books for this disorder dealing with teenagers?  My son is 13 and is ADD.  His biggest problems are focus and impulse control.  He is on concerta twice daily and does pretty good, but this last year has been #$#$A@$A!  I can't decide what is normal teenage boy and what is add related which makes a difference in how you deal with it.  I have a lot more patience for it than his dad does, but I work with kids with a lot of problems so he is easy compared to them.  I try to remember back to what my brothers were like, but don't remember a lot.  One friend commented that one of the reasons why he doesn't think he has to listen is that he is finally much taller than me (I'm 5 8 1/2 and he's about 5 10)  It's just so frustrating!

thanks for any help

michelle

Teenagers with ADD and ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Paperback)
by Chris A. Zeigler Dendy 

ADHD and Teens (Paperback)
by Colleen Alexander-Roberts

Help4ADD@High School (Paperback)
by Kathleen G. Nadeau

I too have ADD. They diagnosed me in 1st grade but they (the school) did mothing for me. Their idea was to put me in a special needs class room and give me a certificate of attendence instead of a diploma. My parents did not go for this. I struggled all the way through school (could not afford a tutor), and I dropped out after 11th grade. I had my GED in the fall BEFORE my class graduated. I still struggle with it everyday. I do not takes meds for it. My parents helped me deal with the ups and downs of ADD just by being there for me and being patient. You are doing the best thing by being patient with him. Just keep reminding him that you understand and that you care for him and love him JUST THE WAY HE IS. Good luck.

~Jennifer~

Meditation and some essential oils help with ADD - help you focus...if you don't want to take medication that is an alternative. 

I just caught the comment that someone made to you about him thinking he doesn't need to listen because he is taller than you.  Don't believe that!  My son is 6ft and I'm only 5'2", my son listens, he knows who holds the power and it isn't him.  I'm fair but I'm no pushover.  There may be more than just ADD going on though - have you had him tested for any auditory issues?  My son has auditory processing problems and one of my daughters has sensory integration issues..(she can't even go to the movies without earplugs or she hold her ears the entire movie because of how loud it is) something to think about.

Hi My son is ADHD as well as Bi-Polar, OCD and Tourettess Syndrome so I really know where you come from, espicaly woundering what is being a normal boy and what is disorder and it is tough. 2 books that helped me were 1. Driven To Distraction and it's segual 2. Answers To Distraction. I guess on this that helped me understand some of it is the fact that I am also ADD but it is thigh rope to say the least. If I still had some of my books I WOULD BE GLAD TO SHARE BUT i LOST MOST OF THEM IN STORAGE. Sorry for the caps! If you have any questions or want to chat send me a line and I'll be glad to help in any way. Best of luck and please remember to take care of you both emotionaly and physicaly. Stress is a killer and you are no good to your child or family if you arent taking care of your self.

Regards,

BRi

I have ADD, I've had it all my life. I really struggled all the way through school. I barely passed high school. Then I figured I couldn't live my life on meds so I did Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (on the advice of a friend). It changed my life. After, I went to college (I went from barely passing in high school to a 4.0 in college) and graduated law school. I still have ADD but now it works in my benefit. I still struggle at times. Writing a Writ of Mandamus (which I'm supposed to be doing right now) is difficult because it is long, and takes lots of concentration but I apply the skills I've learned and somehow manage. Good luck.